GOP Nominee

[PanzerJaeger]

Huntsman seems alot like McCain 2.0 to me. Other than his "let's all hug" announcement speech, what does he offer that others haven't been doing better already?

Which others?

As governors run primarily on their states, I would argue that Utah's model is far better than Romney's Massachusetts and even Pawlenty's Minnesota or Johnson's New Mexico. Based in part on specific policies Huntsman enacted, Utah weathered the recession far better than those other states and the nation at large, and he would be able to effectively contrast his record in Utah with Obama's handling of the national economy.

Huntsman also brings foreign policy credentials to the table that none of the other candidates can match. He has literally been focused on China for most of his life, the nation that just happens to be our greatest competitor. I mean, the man can speak mandarin. Such a resume would prove invaluable in the coming years as we try and untangle the unsustainable trade relationship we have with that country.

All that being said, just like with Pawlenty, I haven't thrown my support behind Huntsman or any of the candidates yet. My frustration comes from the base's seeming obsession with crappy, second-tier candidates when there are so many quality governors out there who didn't mandate universal healthcare.

I mean, what do Palin, Cain, or Bachmann have to offer compared to these other guys? Ideological purity, or the illusion of it? (Bachmann isn't even all that much of a small government conservative if you examine her record). That's great in congress, but a president has to have broader appeal. That doesn't mean we (the Right) have to lay aside our core principles to get someone elected, but we also shouldn't write off quality candidates because they have adopted some moderate positions that have little to do with their ability to competently manage a government according to conservative principles.

By doing that, we are going to end up with a choice between a truly principle-less candidate and a bat shit crazy one.

Also "Palin->Gingrich->Cain->Bachmann"? Gingrich's run never had any enthusiasm in polling.

I thought he enjoyed high numbers before his comments on Ryan's Medicare plan. Wasn't he the 'ideas guy' of the Republican party?